Vanuatu Tsunami  Watch cancelled for the State of Hawaii

(Wednesday, October 7, 2009---Honolulu, HI.) At 2:19 p.m. the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cancelled the Tsunami Watch for Hawaii based on data, which indicated that no damaging tsunami had been generated and no significant tsunami threat was imminent for the State. 

The estimated 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Vanuatu Islands though quite large should cause no problems for our islands.

“I am truly relieved that the Tsunami Watch was cancelled,” said Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who was monitoring the situation from Tokyo. “Many of us in Hawaii have loved ones who were affected by last weeks tsunami in American Samoa and the recent flooding in the Philippines, and this is still on our minds. The Vanuatu earthquake is another reminder that we must always be prepared for disasters such as tsunami’s that can affect us here in Hawaii with little or no warning.”

The Department of Emergency Management highly advises that all residents develop a  family disaster preparedness plan and maintain enough emergency supplies such as food and water to last for a minimum of five to seven days. 

For more information on tsunami and disaster preparedness visit the Department of Emergency Management web site at www.oahuDEM.org.

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Contact:

John M. Cummings III

Public Information Officer

Department of Emergency Management

(808) 723-8957  Office